"Yang Ge, where did you just go? I went to the study to find you, but you weren't there?" The Saintess slowly approached from the corridor.
Facing the Saintess, Yu Yao, Chaoyang Zi wondered if he would have married her if the accident hadn't happened. But the accident did occur, and their engagement was thus dissolved. He felt a sense of relief.
"Greetings, Second Young Master." Yu Yao entered the pavilion where the two were seated.
"No need for formalities, Saintess." Chaoxiang Zi returned the greeting. He wasn't familiar with her. Although they had grown up almost together, most Saintesses stayed with their elder brothers. He preferred to retreat into the mountains behind the sect to study formations, often in seclusion for years, leading to minimal interaction. Only Zhu Xianxian would wait outside his chamber for him to emerge from seclusion.
"I'm going out for a while. Coincidentally, there are things I need to tell you," Chaoyang Zi decided to be clear.
Chaoxiang Zi, with a knowing glance, found an excuse and left.
"Yu Yao, our engagement has been dissolved. You no longer need to stay by my side. In the future, you should find someone who shares your aspirations to become a Dao companion; it will be less lonely on the path of seeking the Great Dao," Chaoyang Zi spoke softly to her. He didn't want to see her teary eyes; he had, after all, hurt her.
"Yang Ge, are you really so heartless? I didn't blame you for dissolving the engagement. Now are you even taking away the chance for me to be by your side?" The Saintess looked at the man with his back to her, heartbroken! Madam was right; everything changed with the appearance of that Fairy Ye.
"Yang Ge, do you like that Fairy Ye? And why do you call her Divine Venerable? Have you known each other before?"
"What is liking?" Chaoyang Zi also wanted to understand. He was currently in turmoil due to Ju Xun's departure and longed to pursue her. However, reason told him that he must first resolve the worldly affairs of the Tianchen Continent before he could wholeheartedly pursue her ascension. The Seven Star Guards had descended to the mortal realm to find Ju Xun, but instead of finding peace, they had inadvertently caused her much trouble.
"Yang Ge, liking is feeling joy when you see that person, no matter what they do, their every action captures your attention, making you worry about them, unable to eat or sleep..." The Saintess gazed dreamily at Chaoyang Zi's back.
Chaoyang Zi suddenly turned, looking at the Saintess and said coldly:
"This is infatuation. Yu Yao, you have exceptional talent, and with a steadfast Dao heart, you will surely achieve greatness! If this is what you call liking, then I tell you, I have no such feelings for you. I am solely focused on seeking the Dao and will ascend soon. Even if we were to be companions, if you become consumed by this infatuation, ascension will be hopeless, and we still cannot be together forever!
I have always treated you as a sister. Do not heed your mother's words; she has gone too far!
The Saintess was still immersed in the thought that Chaoyang Zi did not like her. Upon hearing that he would ascend soon, she suddenly panicked. Would she never see Yang Ge in this world again? As if struck by a revelation, she suddenly realized. Yes, why had she entered the path of cultivation? She didn't want to be abandoned in this world by Yang Ge. She wanted to strive, to ascend from the same place, and catch up to Yang Ge's footsteps.
"Thank you, Yang Ge. I understand. I will work hard, and I will definitely catch up to you. I will go into seclusion as soon as I return, striving for early ascension." The Saintess's expression suddenly became resolute!
Chaoyang Zi smiled. Yu Yao was an intelligent girl; his efforts were not in vain. Although he had no romantic feelings for her, he had always regarded her as a sister.
"Here. This is farewell for today, and I don't know when we will meet again. After ascension, you can find me with this jade pendant. Yu Yao, if fate allows, we will meet again!" Chaoyang Zi gave his personal jade pendant to Yu Yao.
Saintess Yu Yao wept like rain. She was wrong. She should have realized it sooner. Wanting to use the engagement to tie Yang Ge down was foolish. She should have focused on cultivating and achieving mastery earlier to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Yang Ge! She took the jade pendant, turned, and ascended. She wanted to return to Qingyan Sect immediately for seclusion and cultivation, hoping it wasn't too late!
"Brother, you truly have no feelings for her? Then why give her your personal jade pendant?" Chaoxiang Zi appeared from nowhere.
Chaoyang Zi cast a cold glance at him, "Has your upbringing been eaten by dogs? Do you not know that one should not listen to what is not meant for them? Gloating, what about you? What about Zhu Xianxian? I observe you compressing your realm these days, and it's quite strenuous. Your ascension day is also drawing near."
"My cousin? I will send her back to the Zhu family. I will give her all my resources and assets, allowing her to live a prosperous and happy life in this lifetime. Her talent is limited; her future depends on her own destiny. One cannot rely on others for a lifetime. I have protected her for the first half of her life; the latter half is up to her."
Zhu Xianxian, hidden around the corner, covered her mouth and sobbed uncontrollably. Like the Saintess, she was foolish enough to believe that an engagement could bind her cousin forever. Yet, she herself had made no progress! Brother was right; she couldn't rely on others her entire life. Brother was about to ascend and was still worried about her. She had been so foolish before. She vowed to do better. She didn't want brother to worry.
As the two were speaking, a dark guard appeared:
"Young Masters, Young Master Tian Ci has been brought."
"Brother, do you really have to do this? Mother will be angry!" Chaoxiang Zi's face showed concern.
"It's alright. I know what I'm doing. Or perhaps, you want to stay? I can help you with that!" Chaoyang Zi's thoughts suddenly shifted. If his second brother didn't ascend, he could manage Chaoyang Sect for a thousand years, find an heir, and then ascend to the upper realm.
"Oh, oh, brother, don't have any bad ideas. Just do as you planned. I don't believe it, but the two of us still can't discipline this 'cheap' elder brother." Chaoxiang Zi was afraid when he saw his brother's gaze. Divine Venerable Ju Xun needed him, and her divine weapon needed his formations.
"An Shi, escort the Second Madam far away. If Father wishes to go, send him away as well!" An Shi was a little confused. Was it the 'send away' he was thinking of?
Chaoxiang Zi, seeing An Shi's conflicted expression, kindly reminded him:
"If the Second Madam is unwilling to leave, then let her die tragically. If she is willing to leave, and Father has objections, then send both of them out of Chaotian Sect, never to return."
"Yes, Young Master." An Shi immediately turned and left, heading off to execute the mission.
Chaoyang Zi turned and walked towards the front courtyard.
"Brother, where are you going?" Chaoxiang Zi followed him, asking as his brother didn't speak.
"To see the newly appointed Sect Master of Chaotian Sect!"
"I'm coming too!"
The two arrived at the room where the person was being held. Chaotian Ci was trembling with fear. He didn't know who had abducted him to this strange place. His acupoints were restrained, his eyes were covered, and the inability to see added to his terror. Hearing footsteps, he was so scared his legs trembled.
"Brother, are you sure he's capable?" Chaoxiang Zi looked at this 'cheap' elder brother, who was trembling uncontrollably, appearing utterly useless.
"You're capable, you stay then?" Chaoyang Zi coldly glanced at Chaoxiang Zi.
"Brother, can you use a different phrase? You're always threatening me." Chaoxiang Zi was speechless. Fine, at least this person's mother could control things, and Chaotian Sect wouldn't fall into chaos.
"Who are you? I recognize the voices..."